A Kano Upper Shari’a Court on Wednesday issued summons for two prosecution witnesses, Bashir Sale and Salisu Sani, to testify in the ongoing trial of Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, the alleged mosque arsonist.

Abubakar, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Kano, is charged with culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire.

The presiding judge, Malam Halhalatu Zakariyya, issued the summons following a request by the prosecution counsel and the Director Public Prosecution Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir.

Sale and Sani, both residents of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, Gezawa Local Government Kano, along with a police officer, were scheduled to testify in the trial.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Tahir, informed the court that he received a phone call at about 6:25 a.m from the Ward Head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, Abdulaziz Yahaya, that the witnesses will appear before the court to testify.

“My lord, we waited for the witnesses in our office until 9:50 a.m. I later called Sale to tell him that the witnesses were not in court. Sale informed me that they will not be able to appear today. My lord, he sounded very afraid on the phone. The Ward Head Yahaya later called and pleaded for another date to enable the witnesses appear before the court to testify” Tahir said

He urged the court to issue a witness summons to the two witnesses through the office of the ward head.

Responding, the defence counsel, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, did not object to the prosecution’s application.

The prosecution opened its case on September 17 with four witnesses.

The defendant allegedly poured petrol and set fire on a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village of Gezawa local government area of Kano State and locked the doors, trapping 23 worshippers in a burning fire during subhi (Dawn) prayer on May 15, at about 5:15 a.m.

Authorities said 23 people sustained various degrees of injuries.

On the same day at about 5:15 a.m, the police alleged that the defendant attempted to kill Shuaibu Ibrahim and Ibrahim Sani, when he poured petrol and set fire on them.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000.

The court adjourned the matter until October 30, for continuation of hearing.

(NAN)